Anatomy and Cell Biology 3319 Chapter Notes -Ramus Communicans, Anterior Ramus Of Spinal Nerve, Dorsal Root Ganglion
20 Nov 2013
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31 pairs of spinal nerves each containing thousands of nerve fibers. C1 nerve lies superior to the first vertebrae, whereas c8 nerve lies inferior to the seventh vertebrae. Below the cervical region, all nerves lie inferior to the vertebrae it correlates with. Each spinal nerve connects to the spinal cord by a dorsal root and a ventral root. Each root forms a series of rootlets that attach along the whole length of the corresponding spinal cord segment. Dorsal root contains axonal processes of sensory neurons from cell bodies in dorsal root ganglion. Ventral root contains axonal processes of motor neurons from cell bodies in ventral gray column of spinal cord. Each spinal nerve branches into a dorsal ramus and ventral ramus. Connecting to base of ventral ramus are rami communicantes leading to sympathetic trunk ganglia visceral structures. Each branch of spinal nerve contains both motor and sensory fibers.
